came grave at the contemplation of the amount involved.
"I don't say I would take all, but the best,
certainly the greater part."

"Why, I don't know," Gordon spoke slowly from
an old-time suspicion of the other. "It's my wife's
property."

"But such a dutiful little wife -- the husband's
word. Remember, the money in your hand."

"It certainly sounds all right. Lettice would
have the cash to show. I'll speak to her."

"Better not delay. There are other options;
owners are glad to sell. I have given you the privilege
first -- old friend, old Presbyterian friend. The
time is necessarily limited."

As he mentally revolved the proposal Gordon
could find no palpable objection: the options, the
timber, was obviously standing fallow, with no
means of transportation to a market, in exchange for
ready money. Lettice would easily see the sense in
the deal; besides, he had brought in her name only
for form's sake -- he, Gordon Makimmon, held the
deciding vote in the affairs of his home.

"I don't rightly see anything against it," he admitted
finally.

"Good!" Simmons declared with satisfaction;
"an able man, you can see as far as the next through
a transaction. I'll have the county clerk go over
the options, bring you the result in a couple of weeks.

[[155]]

p154 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p155w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p156

v?